View/Open

Date

Author

Metadata

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Intimate partner violence (IPV) remains a serious problem with a wide range of health consequences
including poor maternal and newborn health outcomes. We assessed the relationship between IPV, forced first sex
(FFS) and maternal and newborn health outcomes.
METHODS: A cross sectional study was conducted with 2042 women aged 15–49 years attending postnatal care at
six clinics in Harare, Zimbabwe, 2011. Women were interviewed on IPV while maternal and newborn health data
were abstracted from clinic records. We conducted logistic regression models to assess the relationship between
forced first sex (FFS), IPV (lifetime, in the last 12 months and during pregnancy) and maternal and newborn
health outcomes.
RESULTS: Of the recent pregnancies 27.6% were not planned, 50.9% booked (registered for antenatal care) late
and 5.6% never booked. A history of miscarriage was reported by 11.5%, and newborn death by 9.4% of the
2042 women while 8.6% of recent livebirths were low birth weight (LBW) babies. High prevalence of emotional (63,9%,
40.3%, 43.8%), physical (37.3%, 21.3%, 15.8%) and sexual (51.7%, 35.6%, 38.8%) IPV ever, 12 months before and during
pregnancy were reported respectively. 15.7% reported forced first sex (FFS). Each form of lifetime IPV (emotional,
physical, sexual, physical/sexual) was associated with a history of miscarrying (aOR ranges: 1.26–1.38), newborn death
(aOR ranges: 1.13–2.05), and any negative maternal and newborn health outcome in their lifetime (aOR ranges:
1.32–1.55). FFS was associated with a history of a negative outcome (newborn death, miscarriage, stillbirth)
(aOR1.45 95%CI: 1.06–1.98). IPV in the last 12 months before pregnancy was associated with unplanned
pregnancy (aOR ranges 1.31–2.02) and booking late for antenatal care. Sexual IPV (aOR 2.09 CI1.31–3.34) and
sexual/physical IPV (aOR2.13, 95%CI: 1.32–3.42) were associated with never booking for antenatal care. Only
emotional IPV during pregnancy was associated with low birth weight (aOR1.78 95%CI1.26–2.52) in the recent
pregnancy and any recent pregnancy negative outcomes including LBW, premature baby, emergency
caesarean section (aOR1.38,95%CI:1.03–1.83).
CONCLUSIONS: Forced first sex (FFS) and intimate partner violence (IPV) are associated with adverse maternal
and newborn health outcomes. Strengthening primary and secondary violence prevention is required to
improve pregnancy-related outcomes.